Tag: Together

All Saints (2017) imdb.com“..When a group of Burmese refugees join the congregation, the pastor of a failing Anglican church attempts to aid them by planting crops and enlisting the help of the community.
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..All Saints’ Episcopal Church, led by the Rev. Michael Spurlock at the time, was on the verge of closing and trying to start over when a group of Karen refugees forced out of Myanmar joined the Rutherford County church, according to a 2008 article published by The Tennessean. The congregation struggled to figure out how to minister to the group’s physical and spiritual needs as well as pay church bills. But then they all worked together and started a farm on the property, which helped solve both issues.

..”

All Saints Movie a Story of Hope and God’s Providence Chris Carpenter – Director of Internet Programming cbn.com“..It’s a sad story that is becoming more and more familiar across America. A local church, once the stalwart of a given community falls on hard times due to a myriad of factors including in-fighting and dwindling attendance. Rather than working through their issues with prayer and perseverance, many houses of worship opt to just close their doors instead. In doing so, they may have missed out on a tremendous blessing…”

ALL SAINTS (2017) .historyvshollywood.com
Starring John Corbett, Cara Buono, Gregory Alan Williams | released in conjunction with the book ‘All Saints’ by Michael Spurlock and Jeanette Windle“..QUESTIONING THE STORY:

Was the church really on the verge of closing when Pastor Michael Spurlock took over?
Yes. All Saints’ Church in Smyrna, Tennessee didn’t have the money to remain in operation. They needed a miracle. Those in charge of the church believed that the best option was to close it down and sell the property…

Did the church really welcome approximately 70 refugees who became part of the congregation?
Yes, and like in the movie, the Karen refugees from Myanmar helped to grow the congregation and solve the church’s financial issues. The refugees were Christians and their numbers grew over time. As Anglicans, they shared m…”

Reviews

All Saints (2017)
PG | 1h 48min | Drama | 25 August 2017 (USA) imdb.com“.. When a group of Burmese refugees join the congregation, the pastor of a failing Anglican church attempts to aid them by planting crops and enlisting the help of the community. ..”

CBS Evening News
Published on Apr 28, 2018
After decades of tension, there are renewed hopes of peace on the Korean Peninsula after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Ben Tracy has more from Seoul, South Korea.

Christian World News – April 27, 2018 cbn.com“…
Hope for peace: Will the summit between North and South Korea’s leaders bring lasting change? Why millions of Christians around the world are praying and fasting for the Korean peninsula. Plus, the false gods of North Korea. How the state religion is designed to replace Christianity and make gods out of the nation’s leaders. And, miracle on the baseball field. The congressman who survived a deadly attack and fought his way to recovery. Now, he’s giving thanks to God…”

North And South Korea Agree To Formally End The Korean War | TODAY

TODAY
Published on Apr 27, 2018
Overnight, North and South Korea came to a historic agreement vowing to formally end the Korean War after 65 years of conflict. NBC chief global correspondent Bill Neely reports live for TODAY from the DMZ.

In the wake of a summit between South Korean president Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, some surprising Establishment voices seemed to think so.

William Perry, who served both as secretary of Defense and as a presidential envoy to North Korea, took to Twitter to make the case for optimism:..”

The Deceptively Simple Promise of Korean Peace
Uri Friedman Apr 27, 2018 theatlantic.com
There’s a reason it hasn’t happened for 65 years.“..On Friday, after becoming the first North Korean leader to step into South Korea, Kim Jong Un joined with South Korean President Moon Jae In in making an extraordinary announcement: The two leaders vowed to pursue the shared objective of a “nuclear-free Korean peninsula” and, by the end of this year, to finally proclaim an end to the Korean War…”

North Korea

Posted on June 25, 2014, at 12:55 p.m.
A world with unicorns, no traffic lights, and a happy American veteran.“..The Rungnado May Day stadium has more than 150,000 seats and houses the extravagant Mass Games…

In the 1990s all teachers were required to learn how to play accordions. Today, many citizens continue to specialize in the instrument…

As a way to intimidate South Korea and put on a front, Kijong-dong (Peace Village) was built after the Korean War…

After the Korean War, Joseph Dresnok crossed over the mine-laden border into North Korea. He met three other U.S. soldiers doing the same thing. However, Dresnok was the only one who chose to stay. He admitted, “I feel at home…I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.”..

Two of which are only available on weekends, while the other is broadcast in the evenings. Because of this, South Korean soap operas are among the most popular items smuggled in…

Because of its lack of resources, North Korea was forced to use human feces as fertilizer, demanding the product from its citizens…

A growing number of prisoners continue to fill the estimated 16 work camps.

This means half of the 24 million people don’t even have access to basic human needs.

‘We are heartened by proposals for dialogue between our national leaders at a time when increasing tensions seemed to be marching our countries perilously in the direction of greater conflict, if not war,’ said the statement, posted at Evangelicals for Peace.

‘We call on all Christians everywhere to join us in praying for a just and peaceful resolution.’..”

I just watched this movie with my bro’s family and was very happy I saw it. This movie was better than I expected. The trailer doesn’t say it all. The movie had some “life lessons” that had me thinking and reevaluating more of my life. I decided to write about this while it is fresh in my mind and heart. Hope you readers can relate…

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) imdb.com“..Four teenagers discover an old video game console and are literally drawn into the game’s jungle setting, becoming the adult avatars they choose. ..”

JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE – Official Trailer (HD) – YouTube

The movie started with a curious teen (Alex) that finds this video game console in the beach in the year of 1996 (note the “old school” video game console that looks like a “Super Nintendo”). Like all curious humans, we want to play with it (“curiosity kills the cat”).

Now, the future went forward to a group of teens that get into detention and they find that same “game console” at the school. ..

Sal: After the movie, my “bro’s family” and I were talking about this particular scene. I opened up to them that I’ve been to detention back in my high school days..once only! I explained to them that it was for a “little thing”. I was tardy to school 3x, so I had to serve detention after school one day. I didn’t share the rest of the story, but detention might vary from school to school. But, the detention at my high school was just like having an “open classroom”. We brought our homework to this classroom and just sat there quietly for a certain period of time (can’t remember how long 30 minutes-60 minutes??). This might not be too bad for some people, but it wasn’t good for after school athletes. I can’t remember if I was playing sports at the time, but I remembered I had to take the city bus back home after school . I didn’t want to call my parents to pick me up because I didn’t want to let them know I had to stay after school for detention..lol!

Another similar story was being suspended from school. This happened when I was in “middle school”. I was in 6th grade and had to go to the principal’s office before being sent home early in the school day. I won’t share “exactly” what I or my friend and I did, but it was pretty “serious” 😦 Anyways, let’s get back to the movie :)..

During detention, these teenagers find that same game console that cause the disappearance of Alex back in 1996 (20 years ago). These teenagers are about to get their “character” or behavior issues (e.g. selfish, stuck-up, etc..-typical “teenager” attitudes) change with this “jumanji experience”

Life can be like a “jungle” as we are surrounded by vicious “wild animals” (e.g. evil people). We can sometimes even act like “wild animals” ourselves in our “bad days” as were are just “human” (e.g. sinful nature-> Deep Thought: What “causes” us to do “bad” (sin) stuff? goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com ). However, we need a Savior (call upon “Jesus”-just like how they had to call out “jumanji” at the end to finalize the game to win!).

Guns N’ Roses – Welcome To The Jungle – YouTube

I also reflected on the importance of individual’s gifts (e.g. talents, skills, spiritual -mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 above, etc..) that God has given to each of us that we “need” to use and help each other. We can’t do this life on our own! We need each other!

“We have only one life” ! Use it to better the world and help the people around you!

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia“..The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who called it a “pleasant surprise” and praised the cast.[6] It grossed over $962 million worldwide, becoming the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2017 and the 42nd-highest-grossing film of all time.

When I was growing up in St. Paul, my parents fought all the time. They told me it was natural as parents as they try to convey their issues and work it out together. There were times where I got really bothered hearing them fight. In fact, it affected my social life going to school. I was very quite, shy, and passive somehow when I was with my friends or classmates. It seem like I was holding-up this anger inside and I didn’t know where to release it-really didn’t have anyone to confide or talk to about how I felt.

I remember several times my mom would say “I want a divorce” or “I don’t know why I married your dad”. This really hurted me because I didn’t want to see my dad or mom to separate. I remember saying this a couple of times as I matured, “You two brought us (my siblings and I) to this world together, so you need to stay together to bring us into the world! Then you can get divorce, but till then you need to finish the job you started”. Looking back at this, I personally feel parents have to be careful what they say in front of their kids. I wished my mom had another adult she could express our feelings to. I feel parents need that extra support or sometype of fellowship of other adults that are close to share; instead of their kids. Parents need to model for their children. Children are the real victims of their parents actions: adulther, divorce, abuse, etc…It’s sad that they can’t just speak up on how they feel!

Watch the intimate scene that is moving the hearts of Father’s all over the world, including Soldiers like myself, fighting in Afghanistan. It’s a call to action, to recommit and resolve to their roles as a Godly Father, Husband, and Men of God.

What do you think about when you look at me
I know we’re not the fairytale you dreamed we’d be
You wore the veil, you walked the aisle, you took my hand
And we dove into a mystery

How I wish we could go back to simpler times
Before all our scars and all our secrets were in the light
Now on this hallowed ground, we’ve drawn the battle lines
Will we make it through the night

It’s going to take much more than promises this time
Only God can change our minds

Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I’ll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we’ll last forever is broken together

How it must have been so lonely by my side
We were building kingdoms and chasing dreams and left love behind
I’m praying God will help our broken hearts align
And we won’t give up the fight

To the Sons and Daughters of Divorce Article by Paul Maxwell Regular Contributor desiringgod.org“…Children with divorced parents have experienced a different kind of violent, traumatic collision. And every child of divorce must likewise walk a path of healing. It will, of course look different for different sons and daughters, but no one can deny that the emotional and relational bleeding needs attention, likely long after the papers are filed.

A chorus of adults with long-divorced parents will dismiss in unison: “I’m not broken, thanks very much. I’m not a project. I’m fine. It’s not even a big deal. I’m not a victim, and it certainly doesn’t deserve this much attention.” I totally get that. Depending on the day, I might say the same thing if I read my first two paragraphs.

My parents divorced when I was nine. I’m not a victim, but the break still broke me. It wounded me in ways I could not control. Years later, because I didn’t have the resources to work through things as a nine-year-old boy, certain forms of brokenness seem native and normal to me.

“The break that happens between mom and dad in divorce happens within the child.”

Divorce “attacks the self, because the self is formed within the belonging and meaning provided by the family. When it is destroyed, the threat of lost place and lost purpose becomes a reality. Without place or purpose, one becomes a lost self” (Andrew Root, Children of Divorce, ..”

To the Sons and Daughters of Divorce Article by Paul Maxwell
Regular Contributor desiringgod.org“…Children with divorced parents have experienced a different kind of violent, traumatic collision. And every child of divorce must likewise walk a path of healing. It will, of course look different for different sons and daughters, but no one can deny that the emotional and relational bleeding needs attention, likely long after the papers are filed.

..
My parents divorced when I was nine. I’m not a victim, but the break still broke me. It wounded me in ways I could not control. Years later, because I didn’t have the resources to work through things as a nine-year-old boy, certain forms of brokenness seem native and normal to me.

My wife and I are sharing this short yet powerful testimony of a little girl who is struggling with the battle taking place between her Dad and Mom. As I watched it today, I was very inspired, as well as saddened, for although the little girl’s heart’s desire is right . . . she did not know how to fix a seemingly impossible dilemma. So many of God’s children are struggling, and although they may sincerely desire for their marriage healed and restored, they often do not realize what it is they are literally fighting against, nor where the fight is coming from . . . My wife and I know all to well from personal experience what this battle is like. For we wrestled for years to overcome, yet it seemed no matter how hard we “tried,” nothing seemed to really work. Looking back now, I clearly see that we were “fighting” in the flesh, rather than the power of God’s Spirit ! For our Father in heaven has given each of us great Light from His Word, and above all, this assurance . . . “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (weak and human), but mighty (full of power and possible) through God . . . to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing (those spirits, and powers of the air) that exalts itself against the knowledge (knowing – John 17:3) of God . . . And bringing into captivity every thought to the perfect obedience of Christ !” II Corinthians 10:4-5 & ref: Ephesians 2:2 “We wrestle not against flesh and blood (not our spouse, nor even our own), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness* of this world . . . against spiritual wickedness in the heavens . . . Wherefore my brother and sister, take unto you the whole armour of God (Deity – II Peter 1:4), so that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day . . . and having done all, to stand ! . . . . Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with the Truth (John 17:17), and having on the breastplate of righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5-6) . . . And your feet shod with the preparation (ointment) of the Glad Tidings of Peace . . . And above all, taking the shield of faith . . . and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17) . . . wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Satan, the devil) . . . And take the helmet of your Salvation (that deliverance, freedom and healing wrought and complete for you by the Lord Jesus Christ), and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God . . . !” Ephesians 6:12-18 “For it is not by might, nor by power . . . but by My Spirit saith the LORD of hosts !” Zechariah 4:6 “And the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life !” John 6:63 and ref: Isaiah 55:8-11 We pray that this little girls testimony will touch you. And I encourage you also to watch the story of the miracle which the LORD did in our lives, and is more than willing also to do in yours, if you will seek Him with all your heart, and fight the good fight of faith !